The Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo extended their bid for a first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1974 by stunning Nigeria’s Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties after a nervy 1-1 draw in the African play-off final on Sunday night in Rabat, Morocco.
The defeat means that Nigeria, ranked 19 places above their opponents, will miss consecutive World Cup – 2022 and 2026 – for the first time since the Super Eagles made their debut in 1994. While DR Congo have sealed a spot in next March’s intercontinental qualifier for the showpiece event.
In a tense encounter played at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay El Hassan, Nigeria began brightly and got an early goal in the third minute when a cross by Zaidu Sanusi was flicked for Frank Onyeka to hit a shot that deflected beyond Timothy Fayulu.
The Super Eagles poured forward early, with Wilfred Ndidi going close before Victor Osimhen darted down the right in the 31st minute only to see his cross saved. But barely a minute later, the Leopards were level. Meschack Elia got ahead of Ndidi to slot past Stanley Nwabali after Nigeria lost the ball in midfield.
Osimhen was forced off at half time after a suspected injury, which numbed Nigeria’s attacking threat, while DR Congo’s confidence soared as the match progressed. They dominated possession and looked the more likely to find a winner. Nwabali produced several crucial saves, including a sharp stop from a delicate touch after a 53rd-minute corner and a brilliant clawed save from Chancel Mbemba’s looping header in the final moments of extra time.
The tense additional 30 minutes had few clear-cut chances. Tolu Arokodare headed over from a Bruno Onyemaechi cross, while Fiston Mayele twice thought he had won it for the Leopards only for both efforts to be ruled out for fouls.
With the game locked at 1-1 after 120 minutes, the contest went to a dramatic shootout. Both sides missed two of their first five kicks, with Calvin Bassey and Simon Moses failing to score for Nigeria while Jerome Akor, Onyemaechi and Chidera Ejuke converted theirs. Substitute goalkeeper Fayulu—brought on specifically for penalties – saved from Semi Ajayi in sudden death, allowing captain Chancel Mbemba to step up and fire home the decisive kick.
At the end of the match, DR Congo players raced the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of their travelling fans, keeping alive their dream of returning to the World Cup for the first time since the days when the country was known as Zaire.
Since taking over in January, coach Eric Chelle had revived Nigeria’s World Cup campaign, but he and his Super Eagles couldn’t go past the final hurdle.
DR Congo now progress to the six-team intercontinental tournament in March, joining Bolivia and New Caledonia. They will discover their remaining opponents – including the winner of the Iraq–UAE play-off – when the draw is made on Thursday.
